Why Am I So Tired? 7 Causes of Morning Fatigue

Do you wake up in the mornings feeling extremely tired? Does a full night sleep not leave you feeling invigorated? Sleep is important to a healthy lifestyle as it helps the body to recover from daily stresses and strains. But what if sleep does not provide positive feelings for you?

Morning fatigue is a physical and/or mental state of being tired or weak. This agonising condition can cause terrible strain on the person experiencing it. Associate clinical psychologist, Justine East, recommends that you explore the possible causes for your condition.

According to East, these are seven causes of morning fatigue:

1. A sleep disorder - for example sleep apnoea: A condition in which your airway becomes blocked and you stop breathing in your sleep. Sometimes snoring is a warning sign of sleep apnoea.

2. Circadian Rhythm (the 24-hour cycle in the psychological processes): Your Circadian Rhythm may be out of sync. This can be caused by a number of factors including, irregular sleep patterns; working in shifts; using a computer or phone in bed; and sleeping with the lights on. These can all disrupt this rhythm, and impact negatively on your sleep.

3. You're pressing snooze on your alarm clock or oversleeping: You may think that getting more sleep than intended increases energy, but it can sometimes do the opposite. When you go back to sleep for a short time, your body doesn’t get a chance to fall into a deep sleep, causing you to wake up on a different sleep cycle, often leaving you feeling more exhausted than before. It also confuses your body, messing with its Circadian Rhythm.

4. Smoking: Since nicotine is a stimulant, smokers can experience insomnia if they smoke often and close to bedtime. Use of some strains of marijuana in the night could cause a 'hangover'. You may feel a little foggy, dehydrated and lethargic.

5. Poor diet and lack of exercise: Vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid, which can be found in fruits and vegetables, are good for increasing energy levels. Physical movement can improve sleep quality. It also helps reduce stress levels.

6. Depression or Bipolar Disorder: Both involve low mood or sadness, but Bipolar Disorder also involves a period of high mood or increased energy. Low energy levels throughout the day are common in people experiencing depression. Depression can cause you to experience general feelings of tiredness alongside a lack of interest in pleasurable activities.

7. You're stressed, or experiencing a lot of anxiety or guilt, and/or other emotional/psychological issues. This could be due to relationship conflict, or dissatisfaction with other aspects of one’s life, such as work. This also relates to depression. Stress from worrying can cause sleep problems. If your worries are so powerful that you constantly think about them, you may wake up tired and/or have trouble falling asleep.

Stay tuned for ways to get back on your feet when experiencing morning fatigue.